butlincat's blog - a blog...a seeker of the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth...

butlincat's blog ..a seeker of the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth...

“As long as justice is postponed we always stand on the verge of these darker nights of social disruption”...so said Martin Luther King Jr. in a speech on March 14, 1968, just three weeks before he was assassinated.

Monday, 19 November 2018

Jury decides that Beechwood whistleblower Melanie Shaw set fire to her cell three times

By

Daniel Sheridan 15:11, 16 OCT 2018

The offences happened at two different prisons

Foston Hall prison

A jury spent less than an hour before deciding that Beechwood whistleblower Melanie Shaw set fire to her cell three times after she said her human rights were being abused.The 48-year-old former resident of the children's home in Mapperley has frequently said she suffered serious abuse there, and was one of the first people to speak out about that abuse.

A jury today (Tuesday, October 16) found Shaw - who was deemed unfit to stand trial - had committed three counts of arson being reckless as to whether property was damaged or destroyed.

She committed the offences between February and June 2017.On February 8 at HMP Foston Hall, Derby, at around 8.20pm, officers were called to Shaw's cell after she had started a fire, the jury heard.Leeds Crown Court heard the cell had been locked when the fire started.When Shaw was let out of the cell, she said: "I did not endanger anyone. The building is made of steel and concrete."

The court heard it caused other prisoners to be moved out of the corridor and Shaw said: "It's just a peaceful protest."

Leeds Combined Courts, which inclides Leeds Crown Court(Image: Huddersfield Examiner)Shaw was moved cells but just two days later, on February 10, when checked on by an officer, she was seen holding lit material alongside a lighter which she dropped on her bed.She was then removed into the yard while the fire was dealt with, the jury heard.Shaw was then moved to New Hall prison in Wakefield, West Yorkshire. On June 21, smoke was seen coming out from her door and officers discovered a fire.She blamed the fire on a woman named "Lorraine"; however, she was the only person present in the cell, the court heard.David Horne, prosecuting, said: "She came out [of the cell] with a wet towel over her head."She was moved to a different cell and said someone called Lorraine had started the fire. It was a single-occupancy cell. No one else was in it."At the time, HMP New Hall was a smoking prison and lighters were available to buy in the canteen. Shaw damaged mattresses and bedding, the court heard.When interviewed about the arson in August 2017, Shaw said it was a "cry for help". In the interview, she said she had "lost the plot" and was "ill".When questioned on her reasons for starting the fire, she said: "My human rights being abused".She said during interview: "I very nearly died. I lost the plot. I have explained I wanted to die."

Leeds Combined Courts, which includes Leeds Crown Court(Image: Huddersfield Examiner)The defence offered no evidence in the case.Shaw was deemed unfit to stand trial so a finding of fact was conducted in her absence.The jury of five men and seven women took less than an hour to find that Shaw did the acts.They were instructed to reach a not guilty verdict on a further count of arson.Shaw, who was previously being held in HMP Eastwood Park in Gloucestershire, has been moved around prisons in England.Judge Penelope Belcher adjourned sentencing until November 13 to allow Shaw to be medically assessed.In December 2014 Shaw, then of Bonnington Crescent in Sherwood, was given a three-year community order after being convicted of starting a shed fire and throwing paint on a Sherwood family’s home.She was found guilty of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered, and damaging property.source:https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/local-news/jury-decides-beechwood-whistleblower-melanie-2114818?fbclid=IwAR1ysEroaTESDQ6YwXku4GeDSYJ1FUbdq8D7OgAitIq8R1SnqcWAQeUQHLs

Originally posted on ukgovernmentwatch: Mel Shaw UK Political Prisoner. ”This morning, I received one of the most harrowing letters I have read in my life. It came from Melanie Shaw’s prison cell. UK Column News stands by its description of…

Update on Melanie Shaw! Where is she now? George Greek Trucker Published on 1 Sep 2017 Why we must never forget Melanie Shaw For those of you who may not know Melanie Shaw she is a very brave lady. Raped … Continue reading →

News Melanie Shaw Given Two Years Following Secret Court Hearing by Brian Gerrish| Thursday, 12th January 2017 On Wednesday 11 January 2016, Melanie Shaw, the whistleblower on the horrific abuse of children which occurred at the then county council-run Beechwood Children’s Home in … Continue reading →